The education sector in Mauritius is undergoing significant changes due to demographic trends, according to a report by Statistics Mauritius released on September 23. The pre-primary sector has seen a sustained decline in enrollment, with 25,936 children registered as of March 2026, representing a 2.9% decrease from the previous year. This decline is attributed to changing demographics in the country. The sector comprises 792 schools, with 759 in Mauritius and 33 in Rodrigues.
The majority of pre-primary schools in Mauritius are managed by private institutions, accounting for 71.1% of the total. The Early Childhood Care and Education Authority administers 23% of these schools. Despite the decline in enrollment, the sector still employs 3,771 people, with a stable ratio of 13 students per teacher. This stability is crucial for the development of young children in the country. The government and private institutions continue to play a vital role in providing early childhood education.
The primary education sector in Mauritius is also experiencing a contraction in student numbers, with 82,514 students enrolled as of March 2026. This represents a decrease from 82,974 in 2025 and 84,530 in 2024. Girls make up 49.2% of the primary school population, and there are 1,339 expatriate students integrated into the system. The sector comprises 352 primary schools, with 335 in Mauritius and 17 in Rodrigues.
The majority of primary schools in Mauritius are managed directly by the government, with 219 schools, while 51 are managed by the Roman Catholic Education Authority. The sector employs 9,772 people, including 6,004 teachers, resulting in a ratio of 17 students per teacher. The gross enrollment rate for children aged 6-11 is 106.7%, indicating a high level of access to primary education in the country. This access is essential for the development of future generations.
The Special Education Needs sector has seen an increase in enrollment, with 3,014 students registered as of March 2026, representing a 2.9% increase from the previous year. Boys make up 69.8% of this population, with intellectual disabilities or learning difficulties accounting for 30.6% of cases, followed by autism spectrum disorders at 28.3%. The sector comprises 79 specialized schools registered with the Ministry of Education.
In the technical and vocational sector, 7,064 students were enrolled in public programs in 2025, with males dominating the sector at 69.3%. The budget for education and training for the 2025/2026 financial year has been allocated, with the secondary sector receiving the largest share at 47.5%. The primary sector receives 22.3%, while higher education receives 9.3% and pre-primary education receives 4.8%.
The allocation of resources reflects the government's priorities in the education sector, with a focus on supporting students with special needs and promoting technical and vocational training. The sector continues to evolve in response to demographic changes and shifting priorities. The government's commitment to education is evident in its budget allocations.
Key points
- The education sector in Mauritius is experiencing a decline in pre-primary enrollment and adjustments in primary and secondary sectors due to demographic trends.
- The pre-primary sector has seen a 2.9% decline in enrollment, while the primary sector has seen a decrease in student numbers.
- The government has allocated a significant budget to the education sector, with a focus on supporting students with special needs and promoting technical and vocational training.
